524 reviews for:

The Wandering Earth

Cixin Liu

4.03 AVERAGE


4.5/5.0

5/5 Stars (%88/100)

The story revolves around the idea that the sun is going to explode and that Earth needs to leave the orbit in order to survive. It sounds a bit complicated and weird, so let me explain.

The sun is apparently evolving into a red sun but in the process of that evolution, there will be a helium flash that would destroy other planets. Humanity notices the situation of the Sun and decides that it is best to leave the orbit and find a new one. They build huge engines called the Earth Engines that will launch them towards a new system called Proxima Centauri. I'll leave a quotation so you can understand the whole plan of humanity.

Humanity's exodus would proceed in five steps: First, the Earth Engines' jets would be used to counteract the Earth's movement, stopping its rotation. Second, the engines' entire power would be used to set the Earth on a new path, accelerating the Earth into escape velocity, taking it away from the Sun. Third, in outer space, the Earth would continue to accelerate as it traveled to Proxima Centauri. Fourth, in transit, the Earth Engines would be re-aligned, the Earth's rotation would be restarted and the deceleration process initiated. And then fifth, the Earth would be moored in an orbit around Proxima Centauri, becoming its planet. People also called these five steps the “Reining Age”, the “Exodial Age”, the “First Wandering Age” (during acceleration), the “Second Wandering Age” (during deceleration), and the “New Sun Age”. The entire exodus would last 2,500 years, about 100 generations.


Our protagonist is born in the Reigning Age and describes his and also the Earth's journey towards a new life. In the end, we see an older and much wiser man who has seen things. I really liked the story. I wish it was longer than 45 pages because I was just getting ready. Yet, the ending is very good that you do not want to learn what happens next. You can only guess what happens to our protagonist and more importantly, the Earth. As a guy who LOVES Three Body Problem trilogy, this short story/novella was definitely a treat.
adventurous dark hopeful informative medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Another brilliant concept. I read this as part of a collection of short stories, all of them different. I like Liu’s idea in this short - let’s stick a bunch of engines on the surface of the earth. Makes total sense! Hard sci-fi right there.
adventurous reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Fantástico, este autor tiene una imaginación desbordante. Sino tiene las 5 estrellas es porque un par de relatos flojearon. Pero la gran mayoría son 5 estrellas. Muy recomendable.
En mi caso lo escuche en audiolibro y los 3 narradores lo hacen de maravilla, son un gran plus
Nota: 8,5/10
adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

favorites:
-the wandering earth
-mountain
-of ants and dinosaurs
-the wages of humanity
-taking care of gods 

alright:
-sun of china
-curse 5.0
-micro-age
-devourer
-with her eyes
-the longest fall
adventurous dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

3 stars means good. Definitely recommend ed for science fiction fans, a window into Chinese sf.